Nintendo's latest entry in the Famicom Detective Club series, "Emio, the Smiling Man," has sparked mixed reactions. Producer Sakamoto positions it as the culmination of the entire series.
Famicom Detective Club Returns with a New Murder Mystery
The original Famicom Detective Club games, released in the late 1980s, captivated players with their countryside murder mysteries. "Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club," launching globally August 29th, 2024, on Nintendo Switch, continues this legacy after a 35-year hiatus. A cryptic teaser hinted at the game's unsettling tone.
The game's synopsis describes a student found murdered, his head covered with a smiley-faced paper bag—a chilling echo of unsolved murders linked to the urban legend of Emio, the Smiling Man, a killer who supposedly grants victims an eternal smile.
Players investigate the murder of Eisuke Sasaki, uncovering clues that connect to past cold cases. They'll interview classmates and suspects, examining crime scenes for vital evidence. Ayumi Tachibana, a returning character known for her sharp interrogation skills, assists the player, under the guidance of Shunsuke Utsugi, the detective agency director who previously worked on the 18-year-old unsolved cases.
A Divisive Reveal
Nintendo's teaser generated significant buzz, with one fan accurately predicting the game's nature. While many celebrated the series' return, others expressed disappointment, particularly those expecting a genre shift away from the visual novel format.
Exploring Diverse Mystery Themes
Yoshio Sakamoto, the series producer and writer, explained the series' evolution in a recent YouTube video. He described the original games as interactive movies, emphasizing atmospheric storytelling. The positive reception of the 2021 Switch remakes fueled the creation of this new installment.
Sakamoto cited horror filmmaker Dario Argento as an influence, particularly Argento's use of music and quick cuts in films like Deep Red. Composer Kenji Yamamoto recalled creating a terrifying final scene for The Girl Who Stands Behind, employing a dramatic volume increase for a jump scare effect.
Emio, the Smiling Man, is a new urban legend created specifically for the game. Sakamoto aims to provide a thrilling experience centered around uncovering the truth behind this legend. Previous installments explored themes of superstition and ghost stories, such as the ominous village saying in The Missing Heir and the ghost story in The Girl Who Stands Behind.
Creative Freedom and a Bold Conclusion
Sakamoto has discussed the creative freedom afforded to the development team, emphasizing Nintendo's hands-off approach. The original games were well-received, achieving a 74 Metacritic score.
Sakamoto describes "Emio — The Smiling Man" as the culmination of the team's experience, a product of extensive collaboration and a dedication to a compelling narrative and visuals. He anticipates the ending will be a source of discussion among players for years to come, acknowledging its potentially divisive nature.
